Press Release
June 26, 2008

ROXAS URGES GOV'T: HELP EASE BURDEN OF VICTIMS' FAMILIES PROCESSING OF PAPERS COULD BE HASTENED, EXPENSES COVERED

Senator Mar Roxas said the government could help ease the burden for families of victims of Typhoon "Frank" - including those on the ill-fated M/V Princess of the Stars - by facilitating and expediting the processing of necessary papers.

"For disasters such as this one, those with loved ones among the casualties should be allowed to grieve, without other worries. Hindi na dapat inaalala ng mga pamilya ang gastos at mga legal na proseso," he said.

He said expenses can be covered through the Presidential Social Fund (PSF), which is collected from agencies such as the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

According to Commission on Audit (CoA) reports, the PSF bank account had a balance of P2.7 billion as of December 31, 2007. 40% of PAGCOR proceeds go to the fund. "The President has discretionary funds for such contingencies and must spend as needed to help ease the plight of all those anxiously waiting for word on their kin, or those whose relatives have already been found among the casualties," he said.

The Liberal Party President said "the government should compel the relevant agencies to set up shop where the typhoon hit the hardest, where the victims are." Among such agencies would be the Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration (OWWA), considering that some Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) were onboard the sunken ferry, as well as the Social Security System (SSS) and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

"The OWWA and other government offices should have their people on the ground, where it matters. I ask the officials of these agencies to work directly with the people. Don't manage the problem by remote control," he said.

This morning, Roxas visited the Western Visayas provinces for the second time this week, to coordinate efforts and to discuss with local officials both short-term and long-term plans for the affected areas, which are mostly without power and water and with limited communications. He said the communities would have to participate in flood control and disaster management and preparedness programs.

From Iloilo and Antique in the morning, the Senator traveled to Roxas City , Capiz at noon and to Kalibo, Aklan in the afternoon, to distribute the much-needed relief goods. Aside from bringing 50,000 bottles of water for the typhoon victims in Aklan , Antique, Capiz and Iloilo , the Senator has worked to bring in two generator sets - one to pump potable water, and one to supply energy to the Aklan Provincial Hospital - which were handed over to the provincial government today.

He added: "The agriculture sector in Western Visayas took a beating from the typhoon. Hundreds or thousands of farmers have lost their livelihood as a result. The Department of Agriculture should coordinate with local governments and immediately program for the seeds, fertilizer, credit and other inputs farmers need, in order to make up for the lost harvest."

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